Visitors to Bolton over the Ironman weekend have been urged to donate to local charities as an alternative to giving directly to people begging in the town centre.
The borough is set to welcome thousands of athletes and supporters across the Night Run, Ironkids and Ironman 70.3 events during June 28-30.
Both residents and visitors to the town are asked to give any donations via a branded Hope for Change collection box. The council, said: “The majority of people who beg in the street are not homeless but are instead likely to be facing multiple complex issues such as addiction or poor mental health.” They said they had designed Hope for Change as a ‘better way to give’.
They said Hope for Change ensures all donations go directly to the Bolton charities and organisations that work with people facing these issues.
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